Tropico

It’s hard to talk about Tropico without cliches. You can’t really ignore the salty sea air, the sound of crashing waves, or the steady stream of sun-kissed surfers and smiling morning walkers that fill this seaside eatery. A laid-back Californian vibe oozes through every aspect of this northern beaches restaurant. There’s even a palm tree out the front.

The menu features lime-cured salmon with juicy mango and crispy coconut, and barbecued short-rib steamed buns. The beach theme is even carried through to the coffee – Tropico serves Will and Co beans from Bondi.

Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy a grown-up thick-shake of house-made salted caramel topped with honeycomb.

As the sun goes down, the cocktails are hard to ignore. The apple pie is a clever concoction of cold-pressed apple shaken with cinnamon, vodka and gingerbread. Tropico proves that clichés aren’t always a bad thing.

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